Epistemology

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LAST REVIEWED: 22 November 2016

LAST MODIFIED: 10 May 2010

DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780195396577-0041

Introduction

Much epistemological work in the Western tradition focuses on the nature of knowledge—its sources, significance, and scope. But justified belief, epistemic virtue and responsibility, understanding, and evidence are epistemologically important, and not just because of the role they play in knowledge. The readings in this section represent the most recent influential work, as of the first decade of the 21st century, on the range of issues covered by General Epistemology.

Textbooks

Whether one is a professor looking to design a course in epistemology or a student looking to see what the discipline has to offer, the quickest way to do so can be with a textbook. Most textbooks do not get into all the possible details on the various objections and moves that are made within each epistemological subdiscipline; however, textbooks can provide a helpful overview of the epistemological terrain. And some upper-level textbooks can even advance the field in their own right.